Rare and endemic species: why are they prone to extinction?

Authors : Kani IŞIK

Pages : 411-417

View : 15 | Download : 12

Publication Date : 0000-00-00

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :A species is considered to be `rare` if it exhibits any one of the following attributes: insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(1); naturally occurs in a narrow geographical area, insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(2); occupies only one or a few specialised habitats, insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(3); forms only small populationinsert ignore into journalissuearticles values(s); in its range. An `endemic` species, however, grows naturally in a single geographical area, the size of which could be either narrow or relatively large. Not all endemic species are rare, just as not all rare species must necessarily be endemic. Many rare and/or endemic species exhibit one or more of the following attributes which make them especially prone to extinction: insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(1); narrow insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(and single); geographical range, insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(2); only one or a few populations, insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(3); small population size and little genetic variability, insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(4); over-exploitation by people, insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(5); declining population sizes, insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(6); low reproductive potential, insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(7); the need for specialised ecological niches, insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(8); growth that requires stable and nearly constant environments. When habitats of a rare and/or endemic species are damaged and/or fragmented by various human activities, the distribution ranges and population sizes of the species will be reduced, leaving them vulnerable to extinction at a much higher rate than other comparable species. Species that experience any of the above attributes must be given priority and monitored and managed carefully in an effort to promote genetic conservation.
Keywords : Key words Rare species, endemism, extinction, population, conservation biology